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U18 AAA WEEKLY ROUNDUP: Brandon pushes point streak to 29 games

5 minute read Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026

BOYS

BRANDON WHEAT KINGS

The third-place Wheat Kings (38-6-0-3) had their game against Winnipeg Bruins postponed to next week and then had a home-and-home series with the Yellowhead Chiefs in what was supposed to be the final weekend of the Manitoba U18 AAA Hockey League’s regular season.

On Sunday afternoon at Shoal Lake Communiplex, Cole Dupuis, Reid Nicol, Easten Turko and Hudson Champagne scored as the Wheat Kings topped the Chiefs 4-1.

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DeVlieger, U15 girls riding high of senior night

Massimo De Luca-Taronno 5 minute read Preview

DeVlieger, U15 girls riding high of senior night

Massimo De Luca-Taronno 5 minute read Friday, Feb. 20, 2026

Senior night hit Brittyn DeVlieger a little harder than she expected.

The 15-year-old alternate captain of the Brandon Wheat Kings U15 AAA girls squad took a moment to soak it all in as she and her six fellow seniors were honoured with bouquets of flowers and framed photos, sharing their favourite memories from the past two seasons before skating onto the ice one by one and capping the night with a 4-0 victory against the Pembina Valley Hawks at the Sportsplex last Saturday.

For DeVlieger, it was a full-circle moment and one she’d been thinking about for a while — and the win was just the icing on the cake.

“It was a good night to remember,” DeVlieger said. “A lot of these girls are my best friends just growing up playing hockey with a lot of them, so I just like to have that night to remember.”

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Friday, Feb. 20, 2026

Brandon Wheat Kings seniors Alana Champagne, from left, Brittyn DeVlieger, Shayla Duncalfe, Madelyn Oldcorn, Chelsea Sun, Joee McKay, and Cora McBeth pose after winning their last U15 AAA regular season game against the Pembina Valley Hawks 4-0 last Saturday at the Sportsplex. (Submitted)
Brandon Wheat Kings seniors Alana Champagne, from left, Brittyn DeVlieger, Shayla Duncalfe, Madelyn Oldcorn, Chelsea Sun, Joee McKay, and Cora McBeth pose after winning their last U15 AAA regular season game against the Pembina Valley Hawks 4-0 last Saturday at the Sportsplex. (Submitted)

Olsen, U15 Wheat Kings not getting ahead of themselves

Massimo De Luca-Taronno 5 minute read Preview

Olsen, U15 Wheat Kings not getting ahead of themselves

Massimo De Luca-Taronno 5 minute read Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026

The under-15 AAA Brandon Wheat Kings may have just one loss to their name this season, but Brayden Olsen knows better than to let that get to their heads.

The five-foot-seven, 145-pound defenceman and Brandon head into the Winnipeg U15 AAA post-season next week as the highest seed, just like it’s been all year long after taking 26 games to drop its first contest. Olsen believes his club’s success doesn’t mean anything just yet, however.

“We’ve obviously got a lot of confidence so far, but we can’t get too confident coming up with playoffs here, we gotta chill and not be overconfident,” Olsen said. “I think we just take each game day by day and forget about all the other games.”

Before the Wheat Kings (29-1-0-0) make their post-season run for the championship, they will play two more games on the road this weekend, heading to Winnipeg to face the Bruins Black (26-3-0-1), before ending the season in Altona to redeem themselves against the Pembina Valley Hawks (15-8-4-3). It was the Hawks who ended their 25-game winning streak by handing them a 6-4 loss at J&G Homes Arena on Feb. 8.

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Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026

Brayden Olsen of the Brandon Wheat Kings is the second highest scorer on his team’s blue line with four goals and 26 points in 25 games. (Submitted)
Brayden Olsen of the Brandon Wheat Kings is the second highest scorer on his team’s blue line with four goals and 26 points in 25 games. (Submitted)

‘Trying to climb that hill’: Jets still hopeful to make post-season in final stretch

Judy Owen, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Preview

‘Trying to climb that hill’: Jets still hopeful to make post-season in final stretch

Judy Owen, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026

WINNIPEG - Many Winnipeg Jets fans have counted the team out of making the playoffs this season, but not the players and their coach.

The Jets sit 11 points out of the second wild-card spot in the NHL Western Conference with 26 games to go, but remain positive they have a shot at competing in the post-season.

“I think our focus every day is just trying to get better as a team, trying to climb that hill,” captain Adam Lowry said after Thursday’s practice.

“We’re all competitive people. You don’t want to just lay down and forego the season, write off the season because of the spot we’re in. We still believe.

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Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026

Winnipeg Jets center Adam Lowry skates against the Dallas Stars during the third period of an NHL hockey game Monday, Feb. 2, 2026, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Winnipeg Jets center Adam Lowry skates against the Dallas Stars during the third period of an NHL hockey game Monday, Feb. 2, 2026, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Wells, Wildcats gear up for U15 playoffs

Massimo De Luca-Taronno 6 minute read Preview

Wells, Wildcats gear up for U15 playoffs

Massimo De Luca-Taronno 6 minute read Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026

Lily Wells has never been so ready for something she almost wishes wouldn’t happen.

Wells and her U15 AAA Westman Wildcats (15-5-1) cap off what has been a superb season this weekend with back-to-back games against the Norman Wild (0-21) at home in Deloraine, where she and her fellow seniors will be in for an emotional tribute prior to Sunday’s matinee.

“I think it’s going to be pretty special,” Wells said ahead of the Wildcats senior night. “You just get to share some moments you’ve had with your teammates and even last year with those girls, so you’re kind of almost passing a torch to the minors for their major year, and it’s just a good warm goodbye.

“Last year I was sad and happy for those girls, and then I thought about how sad I’d be when I had to leave and leaving the younger girls behind, so it is sad having to leave those friendships.”

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Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026

Westman’s Lily Wells will be recognized alongside Loulle Jasper, Jaelyn Mann, captain Georgia Koop, Abbey Oliver, Mya Jones, Emma Cornock, Ivy Nelson, Aubree McKinnon, and Maisie Green during senior night on Sunday evening when the Wildcats host the Norman Wild for their final game of the Manitoba Female Hockey League U15 AAA season. (Submitted)
Westman’s Lily Wells will be recognized alongside Loulle Jasper, Jaelyn Mann, captain Georgia Koop, Abbey Oliver, Mya Jones, Emma Cornock, Ivy Nelson, Aubree McKinnon, and Maisie Green during senior night on Sunday evening when the Wildcats host the Norman Wild for their final game of the Manitoba Female Hockey League U15 AAA season. (Submitted)

Hall of Fame defenceman Paul Coffey to make return to Oilers bench

The Canadian Press 1 minute read Preview

Hall of Fame defenceman Paul Coffey to make return to Oilers bench

The Canadian Press 1 minute read Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026

EDMONTON - Paul Coffey is back behind the Edmonton Oilers bench.

The former Oilers defenceman and Hall of Famer returns to the coaching staff after a previous two-year stint leading the club’s defensive corps.

He had returned to his role as a special adviser to ownership and hockey operations in July. 

From the time of his first hire back on Nov. 13, 2023, through the end of the 2024-25 season, the Oilers allowed 2.78 goals per game, which was the fifth-best mark in the league over that span. 

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Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026

Edmonton Oilers' Darnell Nurse (25) has a laugh with assistant coach Paul Coffey during practice before game 1 of the Stanley Cup final against the Florida Panthers, in Edmonton on Tuesday, June 3, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson
Edmonton Oilers' Darnell Nurse (25) has a laugh with assistant coach Paul Coffey during practice before game 1 of the Stanley Cup final against the Florida Panthers, in Edmonton on Tuesday, June 3, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson

WHL NOTEBOOK: Allan weathers tumultuous season

Perry Bergson 10 minute read Preview

WHL NOTEBOOK: Allan weathers tumultuous season

Perry Bergson 10 minute read Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026

In 30 years, Kaden Allan might still be shaking his head over the 2025-26 season.

The 17-year-old Saskatoon Blades defenceman from Hamiota has faced a pair of injuries and a trade in his second Western Hockey League season, but he tries to find the good in everything.

“I battled through a couple of injuries but it was good,” Allan said. “I have nothing bad to say about Spokane, I loved it there. I’m just excited to be here in Saskatoon.”

Allan was drafted 24th overall by the Spokane Chiefs in 2023, and debuted last season. He posted five points in 44 regular season games and suited up in 19 playoff games as the Chiefs made it all the way to the league final before they lost in five games to the Medicine Hat Tigers.

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Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026

Kaden Allan (46) has played eight games with the Saskatoon Blades since joining the team in mid-December after he battled an injury. (Steve Hiscock/Saskatoon Blades)
Kaden Allan (46) has played eight games with the Saskatoon Blades since joining the team in mid-December after he battled an injury. (Steve Hiscock/Saskatoon Blades)

U17 Wheat Kings gearing up for post-season run

Massimo De Luca-Taronno 7 minute read Preview

U17 Wheat Kings gearing up for post-season run

Massimo De Luca-Taronno 7 minute read Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026

The Brandon Wheat Kings are well aware it will be a war of attrition, and what better way to prepare than playing the best.

The Wheat Kings (26-3-4-1) close out their Winnipeg U17 AAA Hockey League season this weekend with back-to-back road games against the league-leading Eastman Selects (29-3-0-2), who they’ve chased in the standings all season long — and with the playoffs just one week away, there’s no doubt there’s a bit more on the table.

After winning 15 of its first 20 games and then taking 11 of its last 14, Brandon sits second in the 10-team league with 57 points, which is just three shy of Eastman and one over the Winnipeg Bruins (27-5-2-0) with all three teams having played the same number of games at 34. A Wheaties sweep this weekend in regulation would not only protect them from the Bruins jumping them, but would also propel them to a first-place finish over the Selects to give them a better seed for the playoffs.

While that outcome would be welcomed with open arms by first year head coach Aaron Rome, he said his team’s focus isn’t on who finishes first in the regular season.

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Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026

The Brandon Wheat Kings U17 AAA club enter the last weekend of the regular season in second place with a 26-3-4-1 record and will have a chance to finish first in the league with two regulation victories on the road over the first-place Eastman Selects. (Submitted)
The Brandon Wheat Kings U17 AAA club enter the last weekend of the regular season in second place with a 26-3-4-1 record and will have a chance to finish first in the league with two regulation victories on the road over the first-place Eastman Selects. (Submitted)

U18 AAA WEEKLY ROUNDUP: Wheat Kings earn pair of victories

6 minute read Monday, Feb. 16, 2026

BOYS

BRANDON WHEAT KINGS

The third-place Wheat Kings (36-6-0-3) extended their point streak to 27 games in wins over the fifth-place Eastman Selects (29-13-2-2) and the 11th-place Interlake Lightning (12-32-1-0) in the Manitoba U18 AAA Hockey League last week.

On Sunday at Teulon-Rockwood Arena, Ethan Stanley had a hat trick, Nolan Peterson scored twice and Cole Dupuis and Crew Elder added singles in a 7-3 Brandon victory over Interlake. Cooper Dryden made 14 saves for Brandon, with Grayson Mcdonald stopping 49 shots for Interlake.

Cougars end season with convincing wins

2 minute read Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026

The Assiniboine College Cougars finished their regular season with a pair of emphatic victories over the Dakota College at Bottineau Lumberjacks at the Sportsplex in American Collegiate Hockey Association’s women’s Division 2 action.

In a 14-0 win on Sunday, Victoria Mann scored four goals, Kasey Fouillard had a hat trick, Isabelle Gottselig, Montana Jubenvill, Kylee Emms-Finnsson, Jenna Walker, Kadence Cress, Madison Haliuk and Abby Dixon adding singles. Rachel Halldorson made 11 saves for the shutout for AC.

In a 12-0 win on Saturday, Brooklyn Driedger, Dixon and Jubenvill each scored twice, with Gottselig, Emms-Finnsson, Veronica Smarz, Hailey Sitter, Mann and Walker sniping once. Clair Merckx made 12 saves for AC.

The Cougars, who remain the top-ranked team in the West Region, head to the 2026 ACHA national championships from March 15 to 19 at the Centene Community Ice Center in Maryland Heights, Mo., a suburb of St. Louis.

Ruzicka blanks Vees with 47 saves

Perry Bergson 7 minute read Preview

Ruzicka blanks Vees with 47 saves

Perry Bergson 7 minute read Friday, Feb. 20, 2026

Filip Ruzicka made 47 saves as the Brandon Wheat Kings won their first-ever matchup with the expansion Penticton Vees following a 4-0 victory in Western Hockey League action at Assiniboine Credit Union Place on Friday.

Brandon (33-22-1-0) received its goals from Grayson Burzynski, Nick Johnson, Luke Mistelbacher, and Jimmy Egan. Penticton fell to 35-12-4-4 in front of a crowd of 2,688.

The game was a special one for Ruzicka, who had his parents, brothers and grandparents in the stands visiting from Czechia.

“It’s awesome,” Ruzicka said. “I love it. It’s incredible.”

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Friday, Feb. 20, 2026

Ryan Boyce (91) and Carson Park (3) of Brandon watch as goalie Ethan McCallum (30) of the Penticton Vees deflects a shot on net during WHL action at Assiniboine Credit Union Place on Friday evening. (Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun)
Ryan Boyce (91) and Carson Park (3) of Brandon watch as goalie Ethan McCallum (30) of the Penticton Vees deflects a shot on net during WHL action at Assiniboine Credit Union Place on Friday evening. (Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun)

Chipperfield honoured by Hall induction

Perry Bergson 8 minute read Preview

Chipperfield honoured by Hall induction

Perry Bergson 8 minute read Friday, Feb. 20, 2026

Ron Chipperfield nearly didn’t become a Brandon Wheat King 55 years ago. As it turned out, the 71-year-old Vancouver resident from Minnedosa did pick the team he grew up idolizing, set records in the process and was named to the team’s Hall of Fame on Thursday.

“Deep down, that’s where I was going to be,” Chipperfield said on Friday afternoon. “It was closest to home and when I was a kid, I was on that radio listening to Henry Stothard. The Wheat Kings were my team.”

“I got to go to Brandon occasionally to see a game. I was in love with the Wheat Kings. Billy Fairbairn and Juha (Widing) and Ray Brownlee and Jack Borotsik were my guys. I never missed a 12:20 sporting show with Henry Stothard because I wanted to know if there was a game that night and would have my radio on and listening at my bedside.”

As a youngster, he also attended hockey schools held by former Wheat Kings defenceman and future coach Dunc McCallum, who Chipperfield calls a mentor.

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Friday, Feb. 20, 2026

Former Brandon Wheat Kings forward Ron Chipperfield signs his picture on the team’s Wall of Honour prior to the team’s game against the Penticton Vees on Friday. Chipperfield was inducted into the Brandon Wheat Kings Hall of Fame on Thursday. (Perry Bergson/The Brandon Sun)
Former Brandon Wheat Kings forward Ron Chipperfield signs his picture on the team’s Wall of Honour prior to the team’s game against the Penticton Vees on Friday. Chipperfield was inducted into the Brandon Wheat Kings Hall of Fame on Thursday. (Perry Bergson/The Brandon Sun)

Wheat Kings prepare for new challenge

Perry Bergson 5 minute read Preview

Wheat Kings prepare for new challenge

Perry Bergson 5 minute read Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026

The Penticton Vees may be an expansion club on their first road swing to the other side of the Western Hockey League, but the Brandon Wheat Kings underestimate them at their peril.

The B.C. Division leaders (35-11-4-4), who are fourth overall in the league, have been one of the good news stories in the WHL this season after moving over from the BCHL. Brandon assistant coach Del Pedrick certainly knows his club (32-22-1-0) will have to be at its best.

“They’re an old team,” Pedrick said. “They have four 20-year-olds and something like six 19s. They play hard and heavy, so that’s what we tried to focus on (Thursday at practice) was good habits, because hard and heavy is not a good recipe for slow and soft.”

Penticton kicks off its East Division swing tonight, followed by visits to the Regina Pats (Saturday), Swift Current Broncos (Tuesday), Saskatoon Blades (Wednesday), Prince Albert Raiders (Friday), and Moose Jaw Warriors (Saturday).

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Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026

Brandon Wheat Kings forward Chase Surkan, shown after practice at Assiniboine Credit Union Place on Thursday afternoon, is set to make his return to the lineup tonight against the P. He missed 15 games after suffering a lower-body injury on Jan. 13 during a game in Prince Albert. (Perry Bergson/The Brandon Sun)
Brandon Wheat Kings forward Chase Surkan, shown after practice at Assiniboine Credit Union Place on Thursday afternoon, is set to make his return to the lineup tonight against the P. He missed 15 games after suffering a lower-body injury on Jan. 13 during a game in Prince Albert. (Perry Bergson/The Brandon Sun)

How the Wheat Kings have debuted against expansion teams

Perry Bergson 4 minute read Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026

When you’ve been around the Western Hockey League as long as the Brandon Wheat Kings have, you’ve seen a few expansion clubs. Here’s a look at how the Wheat Kings have done in their first game against every new expansion team that’s joined the league since the dawn of the Internet era in the 1996-97 season.

EDMONTON ICE

(later the Kooteney Ice, Winnipeg Ice, Wenatchee Wild)

1996-97

TALE OF THE TAPE: Penticton at Brandon

2 minute read Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026

Brandon Wheat Kings vs Penticton Vees

7 p.m. at Assiniboine Credit Union Place.

6:30 p.m. (91.5 FM): 7 p.m. (Victory!)

WHEAT KINGS

Wheat Kings: Penticton Primer

2 minute read Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026

Facts about the Western Hockey League’s newest team, the Penticton Vees, who are in their expansion season.

• ESTABLISHED — 1951 as a senior team, 1961 as a junior team.

• COLOURS — Blue, black and white.

• WHAT DOES THE NAME MEAN? — Vees refer to the varieties of peaches grown in the Okanagan Valley, the Vidette, Victory and Valiant.

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